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Advanced biomarkers: Beyond amyloid and tau: Emerging non-traditional biomarkers for alzheimer`s diagnosis and progression
Afrin MR, Upadhyaya PG, Hashim A, Bhattacharya K, Chanu NR, Das D, Khanal P, Deka S.. Ageing research reviews, 2025-03-22
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive cognitive decline and imposes a significant socio-economic burden. Traditional diagnostic methods, primarily based on amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau biomarkers, often identify the disease at late stages, highlighting the need for more sensitive and accessible early detection tools. This review explores emerging non-traditional biomarkers, including salivary, lipid, urinary, synaptic, blood-based, microRNA (miRNA), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), fecal, and inflammatory markers, which provide deeper insights into AD pathophysiology. These biomarkers reflect key pathological processes such as neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, synaptic damage, lipid dysregulation, and genetic factors. Non-invasive biomarkers, such as those found in saliva and urine, present promising avenues for large-scale screening, while advanced blood-based markers like neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) offer precise monitoring of neurodegeneration and inflammation. Additionally, miRNAs and lipid biomarkers shed light on molecular alterations in neuronal health and signaling. Integrating these biomarkers with imaging techniques, proteomics, and genetic profiling enhances diagnostic accuracy and enables personalized treatment approaches. This shift toward multi-dimensional biomarker assessment not only improves early detection but also aids in tailoring therapeutic strategies to individual disease profiles. By reviewing recent advancements, this article highlights the transformative potential of emerging biomarkers in overcoming the limitations of conventional diagnostics. Standardization and validation across diverse populations will be crucial in expanding their clinical applicability, ultimately improving disease management, reducing societal burden, and enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by AD.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Afrin, M. R., Upadhyaya, P. G., Hashim, A., Bhattacharya, K., Chanu, N. R., Das, D., et al. (2025). Advanced biomarkers: Beyond amyloid and tau: Emerging non-traditional biomarkers for alzheimer`s diagnosis and progression. Ageing research reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102736
Vancouver
Afrin MR, Upadhyaya PG, Hashim A, Bhattacharya K, Chanu NR, Das D, et al. Advanced biomarkers: Beyond amyloid and tau: Emerging non-traditional biomarkers for alzheimer`s diagnosis and progression. Ageing research reviews. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2025.102736. PMID: 40122399.
BibTeX
@article{afrin2025-40122399,
author = {Afrin, M. R. and Upadhyaya, P. G. and Hashim, A. and Bhattacharya, K. and Chanu, N. R. and Das, D. and Khanal, P. and Deka, S.},
title = {{Advanced biomarkers: Beyond amyloid and tau: Emerging non-traditional biomarkers for alzheimer`s diagnosis and progression}},
journal = {Ageing research reviews},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.arr.2025.102736},
pmid = {40122399},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102736}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 8 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive cognitive decline and imposes a significant socio-economic burden.
Why it matters
This review describes emerging non-traditional biomarkers, such as salivary, urinary, blood-based, microRNA, lipid and inflammatory markers, that may allow earlier and less invasive detection of Alzheimer's disease. It is about improving diagnosis and monitoring, not about curing or preventing the disease.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Blood tests & biomarkers →
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on senior author's track record, so that was left out: it earned 39 of the 96 points we could judge it on, which is 41 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Ageing research reviews) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Ageing Research Reviews: journal h-index 225 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 23 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 7.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 23 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | Senior author's record not available — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research: institution h-index 127 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 5 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40122399) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 39 / 96 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 39 of the 96 points we could judge it on is 41 out of 100. |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
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